# NTSB FTW83LA161: Piper PA-28-180, N6501J, Guthrie, OK, March 18, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1983, 14:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Guthrie, OK
- Coordinates: 35.839786, -97.420501 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8398&lon=-97.4205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20842
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20842/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA161

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - throttle/power control - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE WAS WAITING FOR AN ACFT TO CLEAR THE RWY. AS HE STARTED TO TURN DOWNFIELD FOR TAKEOFF HE PUSHED THE THROTTLE IN, ADVANCING THE POWER INSTEAD OF RETARDING IT. THE AIRCRAFT CROSSED THE RUNWAY AT AN ANGLE, BECAME AIRBORNE AND HIT A TREE. THE PILOT IS A PARAPLEGIC AND THE AIRCRAFT IS WITH A HAND CONTROLLED RUDDER BAR AND A CONVENTIONAL THROTTLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6501J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6501J), registered now, S/N 28-4934 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-4934
- Airframe hours: 1859
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Russell Sadler
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 8, 1982, 44 hours before
- Airport: GOK, Guthrie Municipal, runway 34, 3,060 × 50 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 50 total, 50 in this make and model, 12 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830318008809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830318008809A), Mar 18, 1983: Piper PA28180, Guthrie, OK, Substantial damage. Paraplegic student pilot lost control of aircraft during takeoff. Pilot pushed throttle instead of pulling to stop.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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